News & Press

The bleeding of the punched lip, the anxiety of the com-ing of the night, or the triggering of hearing the name of a child’s molester... all are forms of hurt, and all need healing.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to heal our deeply traumatized children deeply and somedaycompletely? Healing doesn’t just mean cleaning up the lip, having a side light on at night, or avoiding being around a perpetrator. Healing is understanding the complexities of trauma and how all these factors combine to form deep wounds. In order to provide relief, a very specialized and unique approach is required based on the story of each child’s heartache and pain....

The Napa County District Attorney's Office will receive $400,000 to create a center for victims of abuse.

The state issued grants totaling $1.2 million in 2018 to create Family Justice Centers, which serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder or dependent adult abuse, according to the California Office of Emergency Services's website.

The DA's office has been working with community groups for four years in hopes of creating such a center, according to the grant proposal. Napa County will be awarded that funding over the next two years.

Victims who are served by the center could meet with employees of the DA's office, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, forensic interviewers, and workers in government and nonprofit organizations, according to a press release sent Wednesday.

The DA's Office said it reviews many allegations of abuse in Napa County each year. There were 501 domestic violence reports, six human trafficking reports, 26 elder abuse reports and 18 teen sex assault reports during the last fiscal year, which ended in June.

The center is expected to be housed in the Aldea Children and Family Services building on First Street in downtown Napa. Aldea staff would also work in the facility.

That site is near the county's Courage Center Program, which serves children who are victims of crimes, according to the release.

Having so many service providers work together would improve service for victims and ensure that their personal needs were met, the release said.

The DA's Office hopes to secure its first contract in January, said Nikki Lundeen, who aided in the grant process.

A year earlier, the state had awarded Family Justice Center grants that included nearby Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano and Sacramento counties.

Loubier Gourmet selects Aldea Children & Family Services for their nonprofit partner in helping kids and families in foster care. They recently presented Aldea with a check for $5434 for their foster care programs. Michael Loubier’s experience working with children in Oakland gave him an up-close view of the many needs children have to be healthy, happy and successful in life. “The day one of my students asked to come home with me because his dad had gone to jail and there was gun fire in his neighborhood and it wasn’t safe, I knew I needed to do more to help, said founder Michael Loubier”. Since then, he and his wife Carla have dedicated to use their business as a vehicle to give back to the community. They know they can make a small difference in children’s lives and give them hope for a brighter future.

About Aldea Children & Family Services

A beacon in the community for the last 46 years, Aldea Children & Family Services improves people’s mental well-being, so they can strengthen their relationships and become engaged in the community. Through critical mental health, treatment foster care, adoption, and support services, Aldea helps more than 3,900 people annually in Napa and Solano counties who face obstacles to accessing and receiving effective treatment.

About Loubier Gourmet

Loubier Gourmet is a local family-owned business based out of Berkeley California. Michael the founder, has over 18 years of experience in the food industry. As years passed with hard work and perseverance, Michael finally fulfilled his dream of owning a small BBQ restaurant in the San Francisco Bay area. Then, unfortunately, within a year both Michael's parents pass away which caused him to take pause and really evaluate what he was passionate about and what he enjoyed doing. From this soul-searching, Loubier Gourmet was created. The business is dedicated to Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Loubier, parents of Michael because of the instrumental role they played in his life. Our goal is to give 15% of our increase to benefit foster homes, charities, ministries, and global organizations that need support.

NAPA, Calif. – Dec 3, 2018. Aldea Children & Family Services is pleased to announce its new Chief Executive Officer, Kerry Ahearn, MSW. Kerry is a highly experienced, successful and well-regarded leader who has an extensive track record of success in senior management of social services and behavioral health operations, as well as in health and human services departments of governmental agencies. She recently spent five years as the Regional Director for Northern California for Victor Community Support Services/Victor Treatment Centers.

“Kerry has committed her entire career in managing community-based, behavioral health, social services and entitlement programs for children, adolescents, families and elders. We are grateful to have someone as experienced and community-focused to lead our organization,” said Aldea Board President, Sandy Re Sims.

About Aldea Children & Family Services

A beacon in the community for the last 46 years, Aldea Children & Family Services improves people’s mental well-being, so they can strengthen their relationships and become engaged in the community. Through critical mental health, treatment foster care, adoption, and support services, Aldea helps more than 3,900 people annually in Napa and Solano counties who face obstacles to accessing and receiving effective treatment.